Reports of Lisa Curtis
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Global Outlook 2017: U.S. faces vexing challenges in South Asia
The Trump administration will face major challenges in South Asia in 2017. The Taliban is likely to begin conducting major attacks, potentially making significant territorial gains. Also, India-Pakistan tensions continue to simmer; another terrorist attack could lead to a full-blown conflict. Up to now, President Trump has not made South ...
Indo-Pakistani crisis: back from the brink, not out of the woods
India’s relations with Pakistan have been strained since the January 2016 attack by Pakistan-based terrorists on an Indian air base in northern Punjab state. The incident led New Delhi to conclude that the civilian-led dialogue between the two countries was not backed by Pakistan’s military. After terrorists struck again in ...
Roadblocks ahead as China challenge draws India and US closer
Relations between the United States and India are taking on a greater significance amid a climate of heightened Sino-US tensions, now focused on Beijing’s claims to the South China Sea and efforts to extend its naval influence into the Indian Ocean. In response, Washington and New Delhi have drawn closer ...
Sri Lankan election results signal major shift in country’s foreign policy
The election of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to a fourth term heralds a new era in Sri Lankan politics. It will certainly lead to a more pro-western approach, while at home, efforts will be made to heal long-running ethnic wounds. <i>The results of Sri Lanka’s August parliamentary elections signal changes ...
Shifting regional security dynamics: Pakistan balances ties with Saudi Arabia and Iran
Pakistan is gearing up for new regional security dynamics that will inevitably follow the withdrawal of US and NATO forces from Afghanistan. In addition to solidifying historical ties with China, Islamabad is seeking to maintain relations with long-time Gulf ally, Saudi Arabia, while courting the increasingly influential regional power Iran, ...
China-India-Pakistan triangle and the future of regional security
A shifting power-play of partnerships and tensions between China, India and Pakistan is likely to see Beijing play an increasingly influential role in South Asia. But despite efforts by China to blunt India as a regional power, both have concerns about the threat of militant Islamism within Pakistan and its ...
Afghanistan’s economic future hinges on continued international engagement
Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani has secured from US President Barack Obama a commitment to a long-term partnership and an extension of America’s troop presence. Since taking the lead in security operations, Afghan forces have fended off the Taliban but at a cost of record casualties. However, Afghanistan’s future economic success ...
Afghanistan's new leadership signals change and growing stability
The new unity government in Afghanistan, led by President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah, faces an enormous task of rebuilding a broken state. The leaders appear genuinely committed to making the power-sharing deal work to fight widespread corruption and improve regional relationships while creating a more stable ...
